The RAS JobsList service provides email alerts for new posts for jobseekers, together with an online archive of previous mailings. For advertisers, it provides a free, moderated distribution service. Anyone can post or subscribe to the list.
Submitting job adverts
Anyone can post messages to the list by emailing their advert to rasjobs@jiscmail.ac.uk
Submissions must be in plain text format, with a maximum of 250 words. Attachments or HTML formatted emails are not accepted, though links to web pages giving further details are allowed.
All submissions are checked by the moderator before distribution, which will normally take place not more than five working days after submission (often much faster).
Subscribing to the service
To subscribe to the service:
Go to www.jiscmail.ac.uk/rasjobs and click on 'Join or leave the list (or change settings)'.
Then input your email address and name, and select the options you want from the check boxes (the defaults will be satisfactory for most subscribers). Finally, click on 'Join RASJOBS'.
An email message with a confirmation code will be sent to the address you specify in the form. Simply wait for this message to arrive (usually within a few seconds), then follow the instructions to confirm the subscription.
Once subscribed, you will automatically receive mailings of all new job postings.
If you do not complete the confirmation within 10 days, the requests will lapse and you will not be subscribed to the list.
Unsubscribing/managing your subscription/viewing past postings
Once your subscription is active you can login and update your subscription interactively, at www.jiscmail.ac.uk/rasjobs
Past postings (including recent postings which may represent still-open positions) are archived on a monthly basis starting from May 2008, when the service transfered to JISCmail. These postings can be inspected by clicking on the relevant date link on the JISCmail RASjobs page.
How and why the service works
The RAS JobsList uses the National Academic Mailing List Service, 'JISCmail'. This mailing-list service is provided by JANET, funded by JISC to benefit learning, teaching and research communities. The Science and Technology Facilities Council currently operates and develops the JISCmail service on behalf of JANET.
Benefits
There are several other places where job vacancies are advertised within the astronomical, solar and geophysics communities. Although these are useful and effective, they all suffer from one or both of the following drawbacks: (a) they are user-instigated services (in that users have to physically hunt for information), or (b) they are not dedicated job-posting services or cater only for a subset of the RAS member's interests. Some job registers also suffer from the additional drawback that it costs advertisers to use them. The RAS therefore recognised the need for a service with the following key elements:
- It is easy to use and reaches the target audience quickly and effectively
- It leaves subscription in the hands of subscribers
- It is automatic, removing the need for users to pursue job advertisements actively
- It provides information only for bona fide job advertisements
- It is free to subscribers and advertisers
- It caters for both the astrophysics and geophysics communities
This service is provided free of charge to subscribers and advertisers by the Royal Astronomical Society using the JISCmail Service. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the RAS and JISCmail cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or validity, either directly or by implication, of job advertisements or other information posted to this list.